Lytle: Get ready for the new Eagles

Jan. 11, 2013

Written by

The Colorado Eagles’ 8-3 win over Stockton on Wednesday night was a lie.

The crooked scoreline sent a jolt of energy through the Budweiser Events Center as the team got back to the high-scoring ways that fans know and love. It’s deceitful, though. These Eagles aren’t the same squad that frequently sends its fans to the exits with a free Wendy’s special when they score six goals.

No longer will this team lead the league in goals scored.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Early in the season, the Eagles were the same high-flying squad they have always been for their 10 years, as Chad Costello, Jack Combs and Michael Forney lit up the scoreboard.

It was exciting, thrilling hockey. At home, it worked wonders as Colorado dominated. But the show never hit the road.

Then came huge roster upheaval. Costello and Combs left for the AHL. St. John’s started calling up players and the injury bug hit.

Suddenly a team that looked built to outscore everyone on its way to postseason success was left with 12 or 13 skaters most nights and had to start winning games with solid defense and smart, timely offense.

That has led to the midpoint of the season with the Eagles hovering just above .500, and for the first time in Chris Stewart’s 10 years with the Eagles in different capacities, he has shifted his teams strategy during the season.

“I’ve had to switch systems before when we’ve come up against teams with more skill, but then we’ve always been able to come back to what we’re used to doing and that’s scoring goals,” Stewart said before Wednesday’s game. “An overall change in philosophy during a season? No, this is new.”

That new system is a sound, responsible strategy. It starts with solid defense where wingers keep on the points and centers help the defensemen out down low. Get the puck and get it out of the zone before worrying about leaking out and making a great offensive play.

On offense, expect a lot of dump and chase with an aggressive forecheck. The Eagles still are a fast team and will use that speed to harass defenders in their own zone, creating turnovers that lead to offensive chances.

It’s different from what Eagles fans are used to seeing, but that’s not a bad thing. The L. A. Kings last year won a Stanley Cup with a similar style that relied on good defense, goaltending and physical play to create goals.

Fact of the matter is even with the help of Costello and Combs through the early portion of the season, Colorado still is fifth in the Western Conference. The record isn’t acceptable to an organization that demands success, so the necessary changes are being made.